A/HRC/8/6 page 7 rights violations committed against civilians and their property by the armed forces, and is linked to the attacks by highway robbers (coupeurs de route) and other bandits in certain areas. As a result of this violence, the Central African Republic is experiencing a severe protection crisis, highlighted by the very large number of displaced persons who are often living in complete destitution, in many cases having lost their homes and with no access to drinking water, health care or education for their children. 20. According to information received by the Representative, since his mission some people have returned home, in particular to a number of villages along the Bossangoa-Paoua road. At the same time he has learned that, although displacements caused by the security forces have markedly diminished, many people have had to flee their homes as a result of growing insecurity in certain localities related to the activities of highway robbers or incursions by Chadian army elements into villages around Makounda, for example. 21. The Representative hopes that the deployment of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) in the north and Operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA will have a stabilizing effect over the country as a whole, including the western regions which have been particularly affected by displacements. 22. In order to prevent the perpetuation of displacement and ensure that displaced persons benefit from lasting solutions in the future, the Representative recommends a three-pronged strategy: continued political dialogue between the Government and the various armed groups; strengthened humanitarian assistance and protection from international organizations; and implementation of a targeted development programme in the north of the country in order to attack the root causes of the crisis, which lie in the marginalization and underdevelopment of this region. In his view, renouncing violence, dealing with the impunity that reigns in the country and engaging in constructive dialogue are the only ways to curb the serious human rights violations suffered by displaced persons, and he calls on all concerned to faithfully honour their commitments under applicable international law. He also appeals to humanitarian organizations to support the country in its efforts to respond to its displaced population’s need for assistance and protection and calls on donors to commit themselves, without delay and on a proactive basis, to an ambitious development programme for the north of the country. Azerbaijan 23. At the invitation of the authorities, the Representative carried out an official mission to Azerbaijan from 2 to 6 April 2007. The purpose of the mission was to study the situation of displaced persons and review the measures adopted to deal with this issue. A report setting out the Representative’s conclusions and recommendations in detail is being submitted to this Council session (A/HRC/8/6/Add.2). 24. At the conclusion of the mission, the Representative indicated that the situation of internal displacement in Azerbaijan is serious, while noting that, since his predecessor’s visit in 1998, genuine progress has been achieved in providing assistance to meet the needs of displaced persons and protecting their rights. He noted, in particular, that some of the unhealthiest camps had finally been closed down and that new housing had been built in rural areas, enabling displaced persons to lead a decent life. He has also learned that, since his mission, the last tented camp was closed by the authorities in December 2007 and that over 11,000 families have been